Savi Technology has launched UnwiredPlanet, its new patent-licensing program for wireless sensor networking. The tool supersedes previous Savi licensing programs for DASH7 technologies; it is aimed at expanding market adoption of DASH7 beyond the defense sector. UnwiredPlanet gives DASH7 developers a portfolio of Savi patents with reasonable and non-discriminatory (RAND) terms, as well as no upfront fees and a "modest" per-unit royalty. Patents covered under the program include a range of air protocol, low-frequency wakeup, sensor networking and container-security patents. Developers of DASH7-based products require a license from Savi Technology and can choose from a growing list of third-party developer platforms. Those who sign up for the UnwiredPlanet licensing program before Feb. 1, 2010, will receive incentive discounts for the first 100,000 units sold under the program. DASH7 operates in the globally available 433 MHz spectrum, which requires no monthly service charges. DASH7 focuses on traditional applications such as in-transit container tracking, but is also aiming at uses such as tire-pressure monitoring, smart grid metering and control, cold-chain management and data center asset management.
